So I went to visit Pitt yesterday, just on a whim. I've been admitted, and had it narrowed down to Case and Pitt, and was pretty sold on Case, because they gave me money (10k) and Pitt did not, making the schools almost the exact same price. After visiting both, I've decided that I like them both equally, the cities in which they are located included in that. I'd like to try and leverage some money out of pitt if at all possible just to try and make things interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew a. who I should e-mail with that request and b. what the history of pitt and granting additional cash is.

hds2388 wrote:So I went to visit Pitt yesterday, just on a whim. I've been admitted, and had it narrowed down to Case and Pitt, and was pretty sold on Case, because they gave me money (10k) and Pitt did not, making the schools almost the exact same price. After visiting both, I've decided that I like them both equally, the cities in which they are located included in that. I'd like to try and leverage some money out of pitt if at all possible just to try and make things interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew a. who I should e-mail with that request and b. what the history of pitt and granting additional cash is.

You'll need to email Meme Jeffries (MJeffrie@pitt.edu) to request money. She'll forward your request to the committee but first she will ask for a copy of your award from Case. I personally was not successful in my request. I initially received 8k from Pitt but I asked for an increase and gave them copies of my other scholarship offers. I received 10k from Case, 22k from IU-Indy and 20k from Duquesne. Meme told me they were unable to increase my scholarship, but I think you should still definitely try. The worst they can do is say no, but I hope you have better luck than I did!

hds2388 wrote:So I went to visit Pitt yesterday, just on a whim. I've been admitted, and had it narrowed down to Case and Pitt, and was pretty sold on Case, because they gave me money (10k) and Pitt did not, making the schools almost the exact same price. After visiting both, I've decided that I like them both equally, the cities in which they are located included in that. I'd like to try and leverage some money out of pitt if at all possible just to try and make things interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew a. who I should e-mail with that request and b. what the history of pitt and granting additional cash is.

You'll need to email Meme Jeffries (MJeffrie@pitt.edu) to request money. She'll forward your request to the committee but first she will ask for a copy of your award from Case. I personally was not successful in my request. I initially received 8k from Pitt but I asked for an increase and gave them copies of my other scholarship offers. I received 10k from Case, 22k from IU-Indy and 20k from Duquesne. Meme told me they were unable to increase my scholarship, but I think you should still definitely try. The worst they can do is say no, but I hope you have better luck than I did!

snowpeach06 wrote:Finally got through, asked about my file and they said "Well, we've just made a decision and I think it's one you'll be very happy with" so now I'm just waiting for an e-mail scan of my decision letter.

Congrats! I got a similar response after I called (left a message and they returned my call). I was told that the decision was very positive. I am now just waiting on the actual decision.

Was that your first time calling? If not, I think I might want to try calling again tomorrow to see if a decision has been made and what the response might be.

hds2388 wrote:So I went to visit Pitt yesterday, just on a whim. I've been admitted, and had it narrowed down to Case and Pitt, and was pretty sold on Case, because they gave me money (10k) and Pitt did not, making the schools almost the exact same price. After visiting both, I've decided that I like them both equally, the cities in which they are located included in that. I'd like to try and leverage some money out of pitt if at all possible just to try and make things interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew a. who I should e-mail with that request and b. what the history of pitt and granting additional cash is.

You'll need to email Meme Jeffries (MJeffrie@pitt.edu) to request money. She'll forward your request to the committee but first she will ask for a copy of your award from Case. I personally was not successful in my request. I initially received 8k from Pitt but I asked for an increase and gave them copies of my other scholarship offers. I received 10k from Case, 22k from IU-Indy and 20k from Duquesne. Meme told me they were unable to increase my scholarship, but I think you should still definitely try. The worst they can do is say no, but I hope you have better luck than I did!

I encourage you to try this but from my recent experience I am not too impressed with Meme. About a month ago I applied for scholarship reconsideration and was told that I would be told the decision as soon as it had been rendered. My financial situation would not allow me to attend if I did not recieve an increase but I really would have loved to attend. On Monday, I emailed Meme to follow up a little bit but she never emailed me back. Finally on Wednesday(a day before deposits were due) I called the office like 4 times and finally got Charmaine McCall who checked my file and said "Oh we actually made the decision 3 weeks ago and we unfortunatly could not increase your scholarship, its strange that no one told you." While I would have withdrawn had I recieved this information earlier, I felt like this was pretty damn inconsiderate to both myself, who believed until that point that a decision had not been made, and to waitlist applicants who are waiting for the seat. I let them know that I would have appreciated the information earlier in my withdraw and Charmaine replied with a furious email stating how the office was not responsible.

I'm not discouraging you from trying, but know that unlike every admissions office that I made this request to Pitt was the only office to not let me know in a considerate manner. If I were you I would follow up very closely (especially if you have looming deadlines) after you send your request because quite honestly I believe Meme to be a fairly irresponsible person for the events that occured.

I can't speak for everyone's experience, and I'm not casting aspersions on the above poster, because I don't know their situation; but in Meme's defense, I received a favorable response pretty quickly. I've found the staff at Pitt to be nothing but helpful to me, FWIW.

For the record, I am not upset that they did not increase me, I am dissapointed that they could not show the courtesy to inform me in a timely manner. Just as they would expect a student who does not wish to attend to inform them when their final decision was made, I would expect a similar respect to be displayed by an admissions office in regard to a scholarship request in which a final decision was made. I would have felt it was unprofessional regardless of wheather I had recieved more money or not based on the fact that the office was not taking my consideration into account and not letting me know so I could update my plans accordingly.

Mr.P88 wrote:For the record, I am not upset that they did not increase me, I am dissapointed that they could not show the courtesy to inform me in a timely manner. Just as they would expect a student who does not wish to attend to inform them when their final decision was made, I would expect a similar respect to be displayed by an admissions office in regard to a scholarship request in which a final decision was made. I would have felt it was unprofessional regardless of wheather I had recieved more money or not based on the fact that the office was not taking my consideration into account and not letting me know so I could update my plans accordingly.

I can see why you would be upset, the whole process is frusterating enough without communication issues. Meme responded promptly to all of my emails and I was informed about the decision of my request within a few days. Overall I have found their office to be helpful, but stumbles do happen. I have never called Pitt for anything, but I have heard that they can be difficult to get a hold of sometimes.

I received a wait list e-mail while at work today. While I would liked to have been admitted outright, being wait listed at least gives a (small?) shot at being admitted. I will have to put down a deposit at another school regardless, but if in the end I get into a better one that isn't as close to home as the one I am looking towards now, it won't make a difference. And hopefully, this is an indication that the rest of the schools that I have yet to hear from won't be too harsh.

sitting in my hotel a few minutes from campus. First impressions of the area are very positive. I came in driving through the pittsburgh tunnel. You really get an amazing view of the city when you come out of the tunnel. I was really blown away. Going to church tonight and probably the zoo tomorrow. I will take pictures.

keemos wrote:sitting in my hotel a few minutes from campus. First impressions of the area are very positive. I came in driving through the pittsburgh tunnel. You really get an amazing view of the city when you come out of the tunnel. I was really blown away. Going to church tonight and probably the zoo tomorrow. I will take pictures.

That's the coolest "entrance" of any city I've ever experienced! If you want a decent bar pie and a good beer selection check out Fuel & Fuddle on Oakland Ave just off of Forbes.

keemos wrote:sitting in my hotel a few minutes from campus. First impressions of the area are very positive. I came in driving through the pittsburgh tunnel. You really get an amazing view of the city when you come out of the tunnel. I was really blown away. Going to church tonight and probably the zoo tomorrow. I will take pictures.

That's the coolest "entrance" of any city I've ever experienced! If you want a decent bar pie and a good beer selection check out Fuel & Fuddle on Oakland Ave just off of Forbes.

Yeah it was definitely the coolest I have ever seen too. My parents are actually here with me because of Easter and all so Idk if they will want to go to a bar but thanks...

Apartment searching should be fun in that area. There is really a TON of places available, all kinds and quality. Throughout this thread there is a lot of good information about apartments.

I live in the city now and I'm not going to move. But if I were coming from out of town, I would be looking in Lawrenceville and Highland Park. South Side, Shadyside and Squirrelhill are also popular places, full of young people, and with a short commute to campus. All these neighborhoods have a different feel, and when you check them out, see which feels like home.

Don't be afraid to live outside of the popular places though, there are tons of cool little neighborhoods around.

Anyone know if any of these places offer private parking spots. If I go to Pitt I am going to bring a car but not planning on using it on a daily basis so I want to keep it somewhere safe and available.

keemos wrote:Anyone know if any of these places offer private parking spots. If I go to Pitt I am going to bring a car but not planning on using it on a daily basis so I want to keep it somewhere safe and available.

Most places will have at least permit, on-street parking for $30 a year. Like any city, there are risks, but most neighborhoods you should be pretty safe.

Other than shadyside and squirrelhill (and oakland), it shouldn't be tough to find a place with a reserved parking spot

I have a friend who went to Pitt for undergrad and he said shadyside and squirrell hill are where you wanna live if youre a grad student. He also said Oakland is not a very safe area and he has had multiple breakins (thats where he lives right on campus).

I think these are pretty good illustrations of what to expect the difference between choosing the more popular squirrel hill or the "off the beaten path" highland park. Keep in mind, both require a short bus ride to get to campus.

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I'm not saying either of these are beautiful, awesome choices. In fact, it was just a momentary craigslist search. You just get a lot more bang for your buck off the beaten path.